Cutting Ties to Addiction On Gambling

It is very problematic that casinos and online gambling are big-time sucks and keep people hooked. Casino machines use tactics to keep people hooked by making them think it only takes one win to win all their money back. Since a lot of gambling and sportsbook websites are online, you can now participate from the comfort of your own home which makes it easy to gamble at any point during the day. Should casinos and online gambling platforms make changes to prevent addiction among their customers? Should changes be made so that casinos and online gambling have to cut the chain of addiction on their customers? This topic is deeply interesting because the rate of addiction to sports gambling and casinos continues to thrive because addiction to sports gambling and and casinos is growing at an alarming rate. This topic is very important because addiction can ruin someone's life financially and also take a toll on their mental health. A solution to this specific problem is critical because it helps spread awareness and prevention while also assisting people to cope and recover from active or past gambling addictions.

Previously, the Supreme Court approved online gambling in 2018, this made it easy for states to approve online gambling in their states. Sportsbooks have expanded now from just one single state to being legal in 38 states. In a news article from SWNS (South West News Service), researchers found that sportsbook wagers grew from $4.9 billion in 2017 to $121.1 billion in 2023 (New York Post). There is also a record-breaking demand for therapy as millions of people seek help with these online gambling addictions. A gambling charity called GamCare is the first to launch a public health campaign to warn people about the potential dangers of gambling. Peter Cox who is the managing director of GamCare states "There is likely to be an 'explosion' of gambling addiction as casinos and bookmakers are freed of restrictions" (Cox). This quote serves as a warning about the dangers that these developers hold and how much harm they can cause when a person falls into serious addiction.

To further support why this topic is a problem, a scientific research report from Emily Sohn states how it has been clinically proven that gambling activities will activate the brain's reward system which then causes a dopamine release. These mental triggers are what make it so addicting to some customers (Sohn). The effects of gambling can be serious, once someone falls into addiction it can lead to major consequences like financial problems and mental health issues. Another op/ed piece from author Heather Hugelmeyer states how the modern normalization of gambling has led to addiction. Gambling is legal over the age of 21 in 38 states and Washington D.C. with 6 more states pending to have authorization. This opens up the playing field to a much larger audience and allows others to travel to other states to gamble (Hugelmeyer).

The demand for therapy for gambling addiction is on the rise and there are numerous ways to help people struggling with this addiction. A solution to this problem would be to set financial limits on bank accounts and set a budget, this will help people escape the grasp of addiction to gambling. If there is a cap on their money, then people will have no choice but to cut down or completely cut out gambling. This solution could help because it would cause people to slowly stop putting money into sportsbook accounts if their banks simply didn't allow it. If a person or bank has a suspicion that someone or themselves has a gambling addiction, the most logical thing to do would be to prevent them from putting more money into their betting account. Another input from the Gateway Foundation talks about how the solution to gambling addiction can be altered by controlling finances. It talks about how most people are likely to start gambling because they have more money available to spend. Some ways to limit finances are; to ask someone you trust to limit your finances, lower your withdrawal limit, and carry only enough cash to cover daily expenses (Gateway Foundation). Following these financial rules can be a solution and help people recover from gambling addictions. 

Another solution to this problem would be to find healthy alternatives that distract you or boost your mental health. Studies have been found regarding exercise boosting both mental and physical health especially when dealing with substance abuse. Researchers recommend alternatives like; taking a walk, lifting weights, or riding your bike, to take your mind off of the gambling cravings.  The Atlantic Behavioral Health company has provided healthy alternatives to gambling. This can be through practices like relaxation techniques and maintaining a nutritious diet. The main overall goal here is to replace the time and energy spent on gambling, with more productive hobbies. This will end up creating a healthier balance in an addicted person's life (Atlantic Behavioral Health). Participating in these activities will help fill the void left by gambling and that itching feeling that keeps people coming back for more.

Research has proved that gambling casinos both online and in person use tactics to keep their customers hooked and wanting more. Trying to get over this speed hump of addiction is not easy but it's most definitely possible. The solutions provided involve two different tactics on how to approach this problem. One solution is relying on others to hold you accountable and work on the dilemma right from the root. The other, working on taking initiative yourself and trying more natural ways to overcome what is now no longer known as the hidden addiction. 

Link to full bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1A1KkEYfO-xeNHmgSTQJTZB4aNJwYBuz1JifHSIbNqQo/edit?tab=t.0